Laser technique proves effective for brain tumour removal

Surgery to remove brain tumours could soon be easier and safer for patients due to the use of lasers. Scientists in the US have suggested that guiding surgery with lasers could help to outline the tumour and allow for more complete and effective removal. This new technique could help to reduce the levels of progressive brain cancer by helping surgeons ensure they have completely removed all traces of the tumour.

Removing brain tumours is an incredibly delicate procedure and is done with great care as the slight mistake can cause irreparable damage to the brain. Removing or damaging part of the brain can cause a permanent disability in the patient or result in brain swelling, which can cause death or a permanent vegetative state.

This new technique, developed by researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School and Harvard University, aims to reduce the chances of further injury being caused to the patient and to improve brain tumour surgery. A high specification laser is used to detect the tumour, this then shows the tumour to be a different colour to the brain matter.

Being able to distinguish a tumour from healthy tissue improves the chances of fully removing the tumour and reduces the need for further treatment. The technique was first tested in the brains of mice and then went on to be tested in human brain tissue, reportedly with great results. Further testing needs to be performed upon human patients in order to ascertain whether it is a fully viable treatment type.

Doctor Colin Watts, brain tumour expert at Cancer Research UK, said:  "It needs to be tested in a clinical trial, but this technique could be an exciting development in visualising tumour tissue, which is the first step in enhancing removal of disease.

"A crucial factor will be to ensure that patient safety is not compromised. This technique is particularly exciting because it has the potential for helping us to remove tissue at the tumour/brain interface from where recurrent disease can emerge."